In a shocking case from England, a 76-year-old man named John Ruben has been accused of giving children candy laced with sedatives during a summer camp. The incident happened at a camp held at Stathern Lodge in the village of Stathern, Leicestershire.
What Happened at the Summer Camp?
On Sunday, July 27, emergency services rushed to Stathern Lodge after receiving reports that several children were feeling very unwell. Eight boys between the ages of 8 and 11, along with one adult, were taken to the hospital. Thankfully, all of them have now been released and are recovering.
The police began an investigation, and it was soon discovered that the children may have eaten candy that had sedative drugs in it—medicines that make people sleepy or drowsy. This raised serious concerns about the safety of children at the camp.
Who Is the Accused?
John Ruben, who lives around 15 miles from the camp location, was arrested the next day—Monday, July 28—at a nearby pub. He has been charged with three counts of “willful ill-treatment of a child.” According to reports, these charges are linked to three specific children.
The charges state that Ruben allegedly harmed or endangered children in a way that could have caused them unnecessary pain or risk to their health. However, he did not enter a plea when he appeared in court on Saturday, August 2. The court has ordered him to stay in custody until his next hearing, which will be on August 29.
Community Response and Investigation
This incident has deeply shocked the local community. Prosecutor Janine McKinney told the BBC that it has been a very upsetting experience, especially for the children and their families. Many parents are now worried about the safety of summer camps and who is allowed to interact with children during such programs.
Stathern Lodge, where the camp was held, is owned by the Braithwaite Gospel Trust, a Christian charity. However, police confirmed that the charity and the lodge owners are not involved in the incident. They only rent out the place to different groups who use it for events or camps.
Police have also asked the public not to spread rumours or speculate about the case while their investigation continues.
This troubling case has raised serious concerns about child safety at camps and similar events. While all the children and the adult involved have recovered physically, the emotional impact on them and their families will take time to heal.
The case against John Ruben is still ongoing, and more information will be revealed in the coming weeks. Authorities are taking the matter very seriously, and the community is closely watching the legal process unfold.
Parents are now more alert than ever about who their children interact with, especially during overnight camps and events.
